The Government’s Covid 19 emergency support payment for people who have lost their job was announced a couple of weeks ago .
This 12 week payment is going to be increased from €203 a week to €350 a week . The value of the payment is equivalent to a gross income of just under €31,000 for a single person. Self employed can also claim this as well as part time workers and people who were working and claiming other benefits .More details Here
If you have already applied for this before the 24th of March or are already in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment you do not need to do anything. Your next payment will be a paid at the increased rate.
The Covid Illness Benefit is also going up to €350 a week
Wage Subsidy for Employers
There is a new Wage Subsidy Scheme for Employers . If employers can keep workers on their payroll this scheme might be better for everyone. It applies to staff that may be temporarily not working or those on reduced hours and/or reduced pay.
The scheme is expected to initially run for 12 weeks
More details here
It is estimated that this support scheme could cost up to €4 billion.